Anti-abortion lawmakers gear up for session

Social conservatives see the most favorable climate in decades.

By Zac AndersonTallahassee bureau

Published: Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 4:32 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 4:32 p.m.

Florida is poised to join a trio of other states this year in requiring any woman seeking an abortion to get an ultrasound, as conservatives in state government look to exert their increased power over social, as well as fiscal, issues.

Florida lawmakers passed the ultrasound legislation last year, but former Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed it. This year, Gov. Rick Scott is expected to sign the bill, which was filed in the House last Thursday and awaits companion legislation in the Senate.

Currently, only three states — Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana — mandate ultrasounds for women before any abortion, though 20 states besides Florida considered the legislation last year.

Florida currently mandates ultrasounds after the first trimester but 90 percent of abortions occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

The ultrasound requirement is part of a new, aggressive nationwide campaign by anti-abortion activists who hope to capitalize on big Republican wins in the 2010 midterm election.

Supporters hope such legislation will deter abortions, contending that women who see an image of the fetus may feel a connection and be less likely to terminate their pregnancy.

The measure is one of at least seven anti-abortion bills that have been filed for Florida's 2011 legislative session, which begins Tuesday.

Many of the proposals seek to make the state one of the most restrictive in the country in certain aspects of abortion regulation.

The improved prospects for anti-abortion legislation after four years of inaction under the more moderate Crist demonstrates the sharp conservative swing in Tallahassee. Much of the attention has focused on fiscal proposals by Scott and top lawmakers to cut spending and taxes, but social conservatives believe they have the most favorable political climate in decades.

The change is most notable in the Senate — which has moved to the right after long being considered Florida's more moderate chamber — and in the governor's mansion, where Scott is more aggressively courting his party's right wing.

“It could be the most conservative Legislature in modern times,” said Florida Family Policy Council President John Stemberger, one of the state's leading social conservatives and a veteran of the state's culture battles for nearly three decades.

Florida has a long history of often acrimonious debate on social issues. Voters passed a constitutional amendment in 2008 banning gay marriage. In 2005, a provision passed requiring parental notification for minors seeking an abortion. That year Florida also hit the national spotlight over the case of Terri Schiavo, sparking a debate over end-of-life issues.

This year, in addition to restricting abortion, curtailing adoptions by gays, limiting gambling and allowing evolution alternatives to be taught in public schools are at the top of the priority list for many social conservatives.

The state's top two legislators — House Speaker Dean Cannon and Senate President Mike Haridopolos — are both born-again evangelical Christians who have described themselves as supportive of more restrictions on abortions.

In his campaign for governor, Scott advocated that the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion be overturned.

Abortion rights supporters are bracing for a fight over the proposals.

Planned Parenthood lobbyist Stephanie Kunkel called the abortion debate a distraction when lawmakers are considering the largest budget cuts in state history and the economy is the top concern for most Floridians.

“Floridians want our Legislature to focus on strengthening the economy and creating jobs,” Kunkel said. “They did not want the Legislature spending time on divisive social issues.”

But Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, one of the House's leading social conservatives and the sponsor or co-sponsor of several abortion-related bills, said the Legislature has a “responsibility to ask some of these big questions.”

Two main pieces of legislation are being pushed by anti-abortion groups in statehouses around the country — the ultrasound requirement and a ban on most abortions after 20 weeks of gestation.

Two states — Nebraska and North Carolina — limit most abortions after 20 weeks. Florida limits abortions after 24 weeks unless the mother's health is in jeopardy.

Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights, a Baptist preacher from rural Clay County, has filed legislation that would ban almost all abortions and “is designed to challenge Roe v. Wade in the court system,” Van Zant said.

But Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich, D-Weston, contends that Floridians are more concerned about jobs and their families, “not making us the most right-wing state in the nation.”

<p>Florida is poised to join a trio of other states this year in requiring any woman seeking an abortion to get an ultrasound, as conservatives in state government look to exert their increased power over social, as well as fiscal, issues.</p><p>Florida lawmakers passed the ultrasound legislation last year, but former Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed it. This year, Gov. Rick Scott is expected to sign the bill, which was filed in the House last Thursday and awaits companion legislation in the Senate.</p><p>Currently, only three states — Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana — mandate ultrasounds for women before any abortion, though 20 states besides Florida considered the legislation last year.</p><p>Florida currently mandates ultrasounds after the first trimester but 90 percent of abortions occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.</p><p>The ultrasound requirement is part of a new, aggressive nationwide campaign by anti-abortion activists who hope to capitalize on big Republican wins in the 2010 midterm election.</p><p>Supporters hope such legislation will deter abortions, contending that women who see an image of the fetus may feel a connection and be less likely to terminate their pregnancy.</p><p>The measure is one of at least seven anti-abortion bills that have been filed for Florida's 2011 legislative session, which begins Tuesday.</p><p>Many of the proposals seek to make the state one of the most restrictive in the country in certain aspects of abortion regulation.</p><p>The improved prospects for anti-abortion legislation after four years of inaction under the more moderate Crist demonstrates the sharp conservative swing in Tallahassee. Much of the attention has focused on fiscal proposals by Scott and top lawmakers to cut spending and taxes, but social conservatives believe they have the most favorable political climate in decades.</p><p>The change is most notable in the Senate — which has moved to the right after long being considered Florida's more moderate chamber — and in the governor's mansion, where Scott is more aggressively courting his party's right wing.</p><p>“It could be the most conservative Legislature in modern times,” said Florida Family Policy Council President John Stemberger, one of the state's leading social conservatives and a veteran of the state's culture battles for nearly three decades.</p><p>Florida has a long history of often acrimonious debate on social issues. Voters passed a constitutional amendment in 2008 banning gay marriage. In 2005, a provision passed requiring parental notification for minors seeking an abortion. That year Florida also hit the national spotlight over the case of Terri Schiavo, sparking a debate over end-of-life issues.</p><p>This year, in addition to restricting abortion, curtailing adoptions by gays, limiting gambling and allowing evolution alternatives to be taught in public schools are at the top of the priority list for many social conservatives.</p><p>The state's top two legislators — House Speaker Dean Cannon and Senate President Mike Haridopolos — are both born-again evangelical Christians who have described themselves as supportive of more restrictions on abortions.</p><p>In his campaign for governor, Scott advocated that the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion be overturned.</p><p>Abortion rights supporters are bracing for a fight over the proposals.</p><p>Planned Parenthood lobbyist Stephanie Kunkel called the abortion debate a distraction when lawmakers are considering the largest budget cuts in state history and the economy is the top concern for most Floridians.</p><p>“Floridians want our Legislature to focus on strengthening the economy and creating jobs,” Kunkel said. “They did not want the Legislature spending time on divisive social issues.”</p><p>But Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, one of the House's leading social conservatives and the sponsor or co-sponsor of several abortion-related bills, said the Legislature has a “responsibility to ask some of these big questions.”</p><p>Two main pieces of legislation are being pushed by anti-abortion groups in statehouses around the country — the ultrasound requirement and a ban on most abortions after 20 weeks of gestation.</p><p>Two states — Nebraska and North Carolina — limit most abortions after 20 weeks. Florida limits abortions after 24 weeks unless the mother's health is in jeopardy.</p><p>Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights, a Baptist preacher from rural Clay County, has filed legislation that would ban almost all abortions and “is designed to challenge Roe v. Wade in the court system,” Van Zant said.</p><p>But Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich, D-Weston, contends that Floridians are more concerned about jobs and their families, “not making us the most right-wing state in the nation.”</p>